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West of the Pecos

PUBLIC ART COLLECTION IDENTIFICATION SUMMARY
Click to enlarge image Photo: Ellis Vener .pdf printout of this page	Number: 0031
	Artist: Westphal, Rolf
	Title: West of the Pecos
	Date: June 6, 1975
	Type: Sculpture
	Medium: Steel
	Dimensions: 25' x 22' x 48'
	Foundry/Fabricator: Armco Steel Corp. / F.N. Tham
	Location/Environment: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Outdoors
	Provenance: x

Historical Background
West of the Pecos symbolizes the gateway to the fabled Texas frontier. The Pecos River, in West Texas, served as the unofficial dividing line between civilization and the “Wild West,” during the late 1800's.

Physical Description
West of the Pecos is a large abstract steel sculpture supported by three square concrete pads. The surface is smooth and painted bright yellow.

The sculpture is composed of three steel pieces joined by welds, bolts, and cables and rests on three legs. An inscribed steel plaque is attached to the lower edge of one leg. The name of the fabricator ( FAB BY/ F.N. THAMM) appears beneath the plaque in weld beads. The welder's name (WELD By/ D. LIGHT ) appears on the opposite leg, also in weld beads.

The plaque reads as follows:

“WEST OF THE PECOS”/ BY: Rolf Westphal/ 4-6-75/ DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF J.T. NEWBERRY/ ENGINEERED, FABRICATED & ERECTED BY/ ARMCO STEEL CORP.